PRE & POST CRUISE

PILGRIMAGE DESTINATIONS

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND JANE AUSTEN

London, The Peak District, ancient Winchester and historic Stamford form the backdrop to where the author lived and worked and where her enchanting novels became classic films or TV series.

DAY

1

Arrive in London. Orientation tour of all the major sights including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. In Jane Austen's day London was the first city in Europe to number over one million inhabitants and was renowned for its low morals in both low and high society. Included in the tour are Cheapside, the unfashionably commercial area near St Paul's Cathedral where Mr Gardiner is accused of living, and Grosvenor Street, the much more fashionable West End address of Mr Hurst and Louisa. Overnight London.

DAY

2

Today is dedicated to the author Jane Austen, starting with a visit to her birthplace, the village of Steventonnear Basingtoke, and the associated church of which her father was the vicar. Unfortunately the rectory where Jane grew up no longer stands. It was from her life here in the village that she derived many of the themes for her novels including Pride and Prejudice, which she wrote whilst still living here. Continue to Chawton, her second home, where she lived when the novel was published. Jane's home is now an excellent museum and houses some fascinating artefacts including the table on which the novels were written! The final visit today is to the historic city of Winchester, and Jane Austen's last resting place in the great architectural masterpiece at its centre, Winchester Cathedral. Return through the delightful Hampshire countryside to your hotel in the London.

DAY

3

After breakfast travel to Basildon Park in Berkshire, setting for Darcy and Elizabeth's first meeting at 'Netherfield' in the new film version of Pride and Prejudice, as well as the sumptuous ballroom scenes. Continue to Burghley House, another major location in the recent filming and home of the great Cecil family for over 400 years. In the movie the house was used as setting for 'The Rosings' the imposing home of Catherine de Bourg, Darcy's aunt. Later, there's time to explore nearby Stamford, one of the finest Georgian towns in England, which features a lot in the film as the village of 'Meryton' where Elizabeth lived. Overnight Midlands area.

DAY

4

Day 4:

This morning we visit magnificent Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess ofDevonshire. This wonderful place was the location for exteriors and interiors of Darcy's family home at Pemberley in the latest film version of Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen mentions Chatsworth in the novel and many people believe this is where she was thinking of when describing Pemberley. Not far away is Haddon Hall, the Manners family home for 800 years and setting for the inn at Lambton and also Elizabeth's bedroom in the movie. The banqueting hall is one of England's finest examples of a medieval hall, remaining almost unchanged since the 1500s. Today's touring also takes in the superb Peak District countryside and the opportunity to visit the working carriage museum at Darley Dale where many of the period carriages used in the film can be seen. You even have the chance to sit in 'Darcy's carriage seat'!! Return to your Midlandshotelfor overnight.

DAY

5

Cross the beautiful Pennine Hills to Lyme Park in Cheshire this morning to visit the magnificent Tudor House here. This was used by the BBC in their famous adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for the interior and exterior of Pemberley including the renowned scene where Darcy takes a sensuous dip in the lake! After lunch return south, calling in at medieval Warwick and the famous university city of Oxford, both places featured in Pride and Prejudice, before heading for your final overnight stay in London.

DAY

6

In the morning more sightseeing in London and last minute shopping before departure.